| Archive for Freesteam For collectors and enthusiasts of all steam engines |
| MTA |
DC KIts 207/3D UnitHaving just swapped rooms with the dreaded sister, I now have a lot more room for me to my unfinished projects.However, I have more to be getting on with with a kit I bought at the Ally Pally show earlier this year. It is a DC Kits 207 3D 'Oxted' unit. I bought it as I used to live in Uckfield, and no doubt I travelled on them in their Connex days. Although; I plan to paint it in all over BR Green to start with (with route indicator 32), then after a couple of years add a yellow warning panel with black triangle then one day paint it into Connex livery. Here is how far I have gotten so far with the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS): I started off by doing a dry run of the front and left hand sides by attaching them to the roof with blue tac. The instructions were a bit misleading as they said that the cut lines on the underside of the roof equalled 257mm between the two, they were nearer 253mm. It should say that from the front of the cab to the back of the DMBS when assembled it is 257mm... 
The kit comes with etched air pipes as well, but the ones already on the cab have more depth to them. The door lines and handles are superbly moulded: 
Once satisfied with how the parts went together, I started sticking the various parts together: 
As a precautionary measure, I ran a fillet of glue down the internal joints as well. 
I plan to add the etched detailing parts after painting, so here you can see the holes pre-drilled for the rubbing plate and the footsteps on the back of the DMBS. 
There we have it, one DMBS body: 
So far so good, but there are a couple of gaps that need some filler then sanding down to shape, like that between the roof and cab end: 
The picture doesn't show it up, however... If I complete my Maths assignment tomorrow, I might make a start on the Trailer Composite Lavatory coach. For more info on 207 units, visit this web page: http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class207_1.html |
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| Spokesmann |
Nice to see something different Simon, keep the images coming. | ||||||
| made-in-england |
Looking good, I must say I have a soft spot for DMU's and Bubble cars of any age! | ||||||
| John Chapman |
That's looking good Si, I'll be watching developments with interest. Is the kit made from polystyrene? | ||||||
| MFSteam |
I remember those units, long gone from the Grinstead Line 
As you say they are nicely moulded parts. I always preferred the Hastings units to these ones |
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| MTA |
John, As per usual, the kit contents only say 'plastic' as opposed to what type of plastic... Ian, A Thumper is on the cards next 
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| John Chapman |
I had wondered if DC kits were resin. Are you using a plastic solvent like MekPak to assemmble the body? |
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| MTA |
I'm using Humbrol Poly Cement, as it is the only plastic glue I have open so I might as well use it up. It runs into all the joints very well, a bit too well! DC Kits very kindly chucked in a free bottle of their own Butanone GLR (designed for ABS plastic) although I'm a bit loathe to use it with the skull and cross bones all over the bottle. Especially seeing as I am not fully recovered from my 24 hour bug... |
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| John Chapman |
Thanks for the info. Simon, I'm rather tempted to try one of their kits myself. | ||||||
| MTA |
One word of warning though, John. The instructions are in a very small font and are sometimes unclear (as in meaning and readability.) One example for me was working out what part numbers of the etched items I needed for the body ends, as the text was so bunched up the two numbers had merged into one. |
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| MTA |
Just finished the body of the Trailer Composite Lavatory Coach (TCL).
Somewhat annoyingly, the sides to this coach are in four parts per side. Although, it isn't as bad as a friend of mine who had to build an etched brass O gauge coach kit that had 36 parts to one side! Left hand side top, right hand side bottom: 
With the coach ends DC kits have very kindly added on little 'dimples' for the positioning holes of footsteps, buffers and rubbing plates etc. For the TCL, only a rubbing plate is needed at either end: 
So the correct length of the coaches can be acquired, different cut lines are on the roof mouldings. At one end there is C and B, at the other just A. 
Another handy feature is the lip on the roof moulding so that the sides can be properly lined up and angled. 
Last feature, I promise! On the inner side of the sides, recesses are cut in behind the windows for the glazing to be positioned. Visible at the bottom as well is the ledge which the floor butts up against. 
First part in place is the coach end 
Then one of the sides 
Then one TCL body 
This is the toilet section 
Now, a shot of the DMBS and TCL together. 
The Driving Trailer is next 
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| made-in-england |
What chassis are you going to use on them si? | ||||||
| MTA |
It comes with the chassis parts, it just needs a motor bogie like a Tenshodo or a Black Beetle. |
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| Spokesmann |
Nice!! We only get 158 bubble cars down here or two car sets . . . .
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| Minor1PJG |
Looking good Si.
The painting will call for a steady hand
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| MTA |
Thanks, Paul. I dare say someone more competent than myself is needed for painting it! Although my confidence in brush painting is coming on in leaps and bounds 
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| MTA |
Just a quick note to say that I will be painting this in Connex livery.
There are three reasons for this: 1) The layout they were going to run on at my club is being decommissioned in late February. 2) It can then be used on my own layout 3) I remember them in Connex livery! http://mark-herriott.fotopic.net/p4670718.html Because of this change, I need to find a Mk1 to repaint for the centre car. |
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| Spokesmann |
Connex - a shocking outfit. | ||||||
| MTA |
You have to give them credit however for making do with such old stock. Plus I liked the fact that you could open windows on the stock, compared to the modern day stock where you are theoretically trapped in a coffin... Rumour has it that when the Southern franchise comes up for renewal South West Trains might get it. But keep that under your hat! |
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| Minor1PJG |
South West Trains' trains are fine, but there are not enough of them 
Paying full fare to scrum down to get on the train and then stand all the way to Waterloo in the morning is a disgrace in 2009 
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| MTA |
 I have usually found them pretty good, especially when I visit SMSEG. Lots of space in the driving car, peace and quiet is in abundance and very comfortable seats. But then again that is travelling on a Sunday 
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| Minor1PJG |
Weekend or off-peak travelling is a treat, but rush hour is a bl..dy nightmare . Luckily I don't do it every day so I have time to recover
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